Pink Panthers defeats Giants

BENGALURU: Jaipur Pink Panthers registered its third successive victory in the Pro Kabaddi League Season 9 with a 25-18 win over Gujarat Giants in a low-scoring match at the Kanteerava Indoor Stadium here on Saturday.

The experienced Rahul Chaudhari and super substitute Bhavani Rajput earned five raid points each while Arjun Deshwal contributed four raid points. Defenders Sahul Kumar and Ankush got on the scorecard at the start as Jaipur held a 6-3 lead by the sixth minute. The Gujarat defence dismissed V Ajith Kumar, but Rahul came up with a brilliant raid in the 12th minute to widen the gap to five points (10-5).

Pink Panthers remained in the ascendancy as it headed in for the break with a slender three-point advantage (12-9). Gujarat showed more urgency at the start of the second half, sending Arjun off the mat, but Jaipur responded by dismissing Dong Geon Lee.

The decision to introduce Bhavani – in the 29th minute – turned out to be a masterstroke as the tall raider picked up an invaluable five touch points. In the second match of the night, defending champion Dabang Delhi made it four victories in as many matches with a dominant 46-26 win over Telugu Titans.

Skipper Naveen Kumar (12 raid points) and Manjeet (9 points – 8 raid points and 1 tackle point) were the chief contributors for table-topper Delhi, which remains the only unbeaten side in the 12-team competition. Later, Bengal Warriors defeated Patna Pirates 54-26.

RESULTS: Jaipur Pink Panthers 25 bt Gujarat Giants 18; Telugu Titans 26 lost to Dabang Delhi 46; Bengal Warriors 54 bt Patna Pirates 26